(N)ew rules would (also) crack down on phony priests offering their services in the diocese — usually at destination weddings and, in one prominent case, the marriage of a famed soap opera actress and prominent soccer star.

You’d be surprised at the numbers of phony clergy out there. You can probably be sure they have some online certificate or mail-order ministry license.

Bishop Ochoa cited “elitism,” but the problem really is the devolving of the sacraments into private observances, disconnected from a faith community.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.